Police Cracking Down On Distracted Driving In Naugatuck

NAUGATUCK, CT — Naugatuck police, in partnership with state and local law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will participate in the "U Drive. U Text. U Pay." campaign throughout the month of April.

The campaign will step up enforcement efforts to enforce distracted-driving laws from April 1 through April 30, according to a news release provided by the department.

According to Naugatuck police, nearly 5,000 crashes attributed to distracted driving occurred in Connecticut in 2020.

"Distracted driving crashes are preventable," Naugatuck police said in a news release. "Driving should be a person's number one priority behind the wheel. Remember, everything else can wait.

According to police, Connecticut law prohibits the use of any hand-held mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers who are 16 or 17 years of age are prohibited from using a cell phone or mobile device at any time, even with a hands-free accessory.

Drivers who are ticketed for violating Connecticut's distracted-driving laws are fined $200 for a first offense, $375 for a second offense and $625 for a third and subsequent offense, according to police.

"Naugatuck police urge motorists to put their phone down when they get behind the wheel," police said. "If someone needs to text, pull over and park the vehicle in a safe place first."